Amsterdam, September 23d, 1778.
The undersigned, Pentionary of the city of Amsterdam has the honor to make known to those who are duly authorised by the Congress of the United States of America, that he is empowered by the Burgomasters of the aforementioned city, to declare in their names, that, provided the said Congress do not enter into any engagements with the English Commissioners, which may be hurtful or prejudicial to the commerce of the republic of the United Provinces, directly or indirectly, the aforesaid Burgomasters on their side will be entirely disposed, as far as depends on them, so to direct the course of affairs, that whenever the independence of the said United States of America shall be recognised by the English, a perpetual treaty of amity shall be concluded between this republic and the aforesaid United States, containing the most extensive reciprocal advantages in relation to the commerce of the subjects of the two powers.
The undersigned has the honor further to declare, that it is the will of said Burgomasters, that this declaration may be employed, as shall be thought expedient, with the necessary precaution that it shall not come to the knowledge of those interested, to prevent, if possible, or at least to obstruct the execution of a plan, which has no other object than to promote mutual happiness and the true interests of the two republics.
E. T. VAN BERCKEL.
COUNT DE VERGENNES TO THE COMMISSIONERS.
Translation.
Versailles, September 24th, 1778.
Gentlemen,
By your note of the 28th of August, you requested free entry, with exemption from all duties, of the effects of many Americans in Europe, desirous of returning to their country. I have communicated your request to M. Necker, and send you herewith his reply. You will see in it the reasons which render it impossible to comply with your wishes, and the arrangements which can be made to favor the Americans, who wish to send their effects to America by the way of France.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, &c.